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Month / January 2016

It’s a common sight in all major touristy cities- from London to Lisbon and beyond…. You see them at all popular attractions- in front of palaces, museums, in squares and parks. We came across a number of these street performers displaying whatever skills they are good at, to entertain and … to earn their daily bread; magicians, acrobats, guitarists, craftsmen, comedians, sopranos and tenors, dancers and actors in every imaginable and unimaginable costumes.

Most of us just stop by for a couple of minutes to watch their performances and move on throwing a Dollar or a Euro. Many take photos with them, laugh at them, make fun of them, try imitating them, tease them and sometimes even intimidate them.

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You see a fat guy seemingly floating in the air while another in full Sadhu attire doing his penance in the air (obviously with the help of hidden gadgets), a magician pulling a few surprises with his acts for the umpteenth time, another guy in complete Terminator make up and gadgets inviting onlookers for an act from the film and take a picture, few other guys in some greasy/oily /metallic paints pose as statues, frozen for hours…

At first sight they all seem to have one goal; earn a living by making people happy but watch them closely; their eyes sport only empty look often looking at the collections on the sly, their laughs are dry, their bodies begging for rest; there is melancholy written all over their wrinkled, weather-beaten faces. Sunshine or rain, snow or wind, they just can’t afford to take a break but continue with their act, for a few dollars….